Frequently Asked Questions

What the heck is a Canuck?

Canuck is a slang term for a Canadian. I grew up in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Although my husband is American and we live in the United States with our two boys, I feel a very deep connection to my homeland.

My older son read this and insisted that I mentioned that our favorite hockey team is the Vancouver Canucks.

I heard that you lost a few pounds. What’s your story?

I also heard that you’re a runner. Have you written any posts about that?

Right again. You can find my various running posts here, including a post about my first marathon (the good, the bad and the ugly).

Did you include nutritional information or Weight Watchers’ points with your recipes?

Yes, I do. Starting at the beginning of 2013, I started including this information at the bottom of each recipe. I’m also working my way through my recipe archives and adding in this information for past recipes. Please note that I am not a licensed dietitian. I use Sparks Recipe Calculator for the nutritional information calculations. Any facts given about health benefits of various food items is referenced from reputable sites, such as cdc.gov.

Why did you start a cooking blog?

Originally, I started this blog in April 2009 as a way to catalog my recipes. Whenever one of my friends asks me for a recipe, I can tell them, “It’s on the blog.” Soon, however, Cookin’ Canuck became a much bigger part of my life than I could have ever anticipated. The process of dreaming up flavor combinations, developing recipes, taking photographs, and writing anecdotes to introduce the recipe is a considerable amount of work, but it is extremely rewarding.

My desire is to teach others how to produce tasty, inspiring dishes without spending hours slaving over the stove. I am so thankful for the readers who have written to tell me their experience with my recipes. It’s so gratifying to hear them say that they were proud to serve a certain dish to their family or friends. Food, for me, is about the experience – about gathering together to share stories, build memories, and break bread.

What kind of camera and lens do you use?

Photos from April to December 2009 were taken on my trusty Lumix point-and-shoot camera. I then upgraded to a Canon Rebel XSi (which has now been replaced by the Canon EOS Rebel T4i). In January 2012, I upgraded further to a Canon EOS 7D. The lenses I typically use are the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L and the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L. My photography is certainly a work in progress and I am continually inspired by the photos of many of my fellow food bloggers.

What kind of light do you use for your photos?

I am fortunate, as I have the luxury of shooting my photographs during the day. I set up a collapsible table near a large west-facing window in my living room, taking photos either during the morning or afternoon, depending on the light that day (and my schedule). In addition, I use inexpensive foam core boards, which can be purchased at craft store such as Michael’s, to bounce light into darker areas. I used to take all of my photos using a tripod but, after being shown how to meter my camera (i.e., Manual mode), I became more comfortable taking photos “free hand”.

Do you review products, host giveaways, or write sponsored posts?

If you represent a product that fits with the recipes and features on my blog, please feel free to email me at cookincanuck@comcast.net so that we can discuss your proposal.

Do you trade links?

No, I do not. I do have a blogroll (see Favorite Reads) that links to my favorite food blog and photography sites, as well as books I find helpful. In addition, I link to other bloggers’ recipes in each post, as well as in periodic round-ups. If your recipe catches my eye, it will likely be included in a future post.

What blogging platform do you use? Did you set it up yourself or use a designer?

My blog is self-hosted WordPress blog, using the Thesis theme. I used the services of web designer, Christy Broxton. I simply can’t say enough good things about her work. If you would like to contact her, email me at cookincanuck(at)comcast(dot)net and I will provide you with her email address.

Welcome to Cookin’ Canuck

I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes, as well as running and healthy lifestyle tips.Read More…